Process of making an amberlike substance.



amazes.

up was mama ca ot ARNOLD H. PETER, OF NEW YORK, N. .Y.

' PROCESS OF MAKING AN AMBERLIKE SUBSTANCE.

Ho Drawing.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ARNOLD H. PETER, a

citizen of Switzerland, and a resident of the stance.

This new substance is most nearly analogous to amber since it possesses most of its characteristics. For example, it shows the same brilliancy in gloss and color so peculiar to amber; it shows the same delicate touch peculiar to amber; itshows the same properties in cutting, boring and polishing, etc,

' so valuable to amber; it shows the same in solubility in solvents such as alcohol and water, so peculiar to amber; it has thus far resisted, like amber, the determination of its composition or constitution, being inert to chemical reagents; and, like amber, it is transparent, and infusible. Ithas about the same specific gravity as amber. But it differentiates from amber in being highly resistant to electrification by rubbing. It is also non-inflammable. The new mass so closely resembles amber that it has been de clared to be amber by experts after close inspection.

I carry out my process by the reaction of resorcinol and formaldehyde. For examplez-An illustration for the production of the amber-like mass from resorcinol and formaldehyde is the followin z-Ten parts of resorcinol are dissolved in Igparts of formaldehyde solution containing 37% of formaldehyde. The mixture is heated to 70 to 85 C. and kept at that temperature till the mass becomes of a semiso id or solid consistency, and is then heated to 100 to 110 C. for 4 to 8 hours, or for a longer time at lower temperature.

Another illustration to produce the amberlike mass is the following: Ten parts of resorcinol aredissolved in ten parts of formaldehyde solution containing 37% formaldehyde. The mixture is heated to to (3., at which a reaction sets in. After the reaction has subsided, the temperature may be raised to finish the product. This product will be of darker color, but other wise resembles the former product.

I do not want to restrict myself to these Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 5, 1909. Serial No. 521,093

Patented July so, rare;

two examples. On the contrary, they serve to illustrate the wide range under which the amber-like mass from resorcinol and formaldehyde may be obtained. The percentage of formaldehyde in the formaldehyde solution may vary from about 36% to 40%.

The term amber-like as herein used has no reference to color, although the new mass has the peculiar color of amber unless dyes are employed in the process for changing the color.

I am not inclined to call my product a condensation product for the following reasons: vBy the illustrious researches .of' A.-

Bayer and his pupils on the reaction between phenols and aldehydes, a large number of new organic produced, which have been described as condensation products. The physical and chemical properties of these condensation products are entirely vdifferent from the substance obtained by me in the reaction between resorcinol and formaldehyde.

In recent years, a large number of patents have become known on the production of.

rosin like substanceslb the reaction of phenol (carbolic-acid) and its homologues upon formaldehyde in the presence of inorganic or organic bases, of organic or inorganic acids, or salts which act as condensation agents. All these processes start from phenol or its .homologues, or mixtures thereof, and formaldehyde, and an indispensable third substance or substances, under the most varied condition. The presence -'of these third'substances has been the object of extensive studies, and appear to be most influential as well as indispensable and vital to the result of the process.

In contradistinction to all those processes, Istart, not from phenol, or any of its homologues,butIstart from meta-di-oxy-benzene. In further contradistinction, I do not need any third substance at all, to obtain the mass or product of my process. I want to state, however, that I might have a third substance present, in some cases acting acceleratingly upon the formation of my substance, and in others acting retardingly upon the formation of my substance. I mention these facts, as I want to include within the scope of this application the formatlon of the amber-like mass by the action compounds have been.

whereas the mass water woul eat/es that phenomena is an ill stance, for incorporating mim'ng resorcinol glycerin and sugar,

stances heretofore described under the name condensation products and resin like substances Glycerin or sugar, mation of my suhsce from resorcinol and formaldehyde form partoif the in s without changing the mass to any great degree.

- l have used varying quantities of glycerin and sugar, up to 1/3 of my mass, and the influence of the difierent proportions was only slightly perceptible, and'jn the shed dnot ract glycerin or sugar. The fact that glycerin or sugar can he added in yag quantities, without having visible II: 'uenceupon the product,indi- I ustration ofthe solid solution; a, that the substance, formed the action! of a marked power of absorpfion, d is therefore characteristic of thissuhstance as thus produced. This power of ahsorption may he put to valuable technica rises; as, ior inyes.

Another illustration of the absorptive power of the substance as produced. from resorcinol andformalyde during its formation, is its behavior toward water. After 61 formaldehyde will? tion, a semi-solid or nor separation during the for- I resorcinolupon pformaldehyde during its formation, shows menses I upon ding, or quicker upon gentle heat mg, con will the water homjthe to dehyde ous mass, neither the iiormehionof layers of water can he noticed. These are characteristi of a colloidalmass,

A further characc (DIE the colloidal state of substances formed from resorcinol and formaldehyde is the. graduel reaction by which amber-like masses can he formed from resorcinol and f dehyde. I

While my new suhston e is most nearly analogous to ember, it is clearly distinct and difierentiated therefrom. 'llhis is shown by the fact that we hermay he readily electrified by rubbing, highly resistant to electrification hy ruhhingg The new amber-like substance is also ferentiated from all other substances heretofore hown What is claimed and what is desired to he secured by Letters Patent is:'

The process ot-prodncing which consists in 1 and heating sorcinol and formeldehydein the proportion of 10 parts of resorcinol and 7%,; to ill parts of formaldehyde solution connining; 36% to foldehyde, suhstantially as described. 1

In testimony whereof, ll heye signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing r nnnotn n. lrn rnn,

Wimesses: V Jinn Gunmen,

Nrcnonns lll, Gocnnm solid is formed my new suhstance solut on, and forming a homogene- I acolloidelmass, l 

